Which part of the nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord?

The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord. This system serves as the body's command center, processing information and coordinating responses throughout the body. It is responsible for interpreting sensory information, regulating bodily functions, and enabling higher cognitive processes such as thought, memory, and decision-making.

In contrast, the peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all the nerves that branch out from the CNS to the rest of the body, facilitating communication between the CNS and limbs/organs. The autonomic nervous system, a division of the PNS, governs involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion. The somatic nervous system, another subset of the PNS, controls voluntary muscle movements. Understanding these distinctions highlights the CNS's critical role as the center of control within the nervous system.